Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Sports Desk • Venue

SkyDome

SkyDome was the original name of the retractable-roof stadium in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, now known as Rogers Centre.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

SkyDome was the original name of the retractable-roof stadium in downtown Toronto, now known as Rogers Centre. Opened in 1989, it was the first stadium in the world with a fully retractable motorized roof.

What it is

SkyDome is a multi-purpose stadium located at the base of the CN Tower near Lake Ontario. It opened in 1989 on the former Railway Lands. It is best known as the home of the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) and previously hosted the Toronto Argonauts (CFL). The venue includes an attached 348-room hotel with some rooms overlooking the field.

Why it matters

As the first fully retractable motorized roof stadium, SkyDome set a global engineering precedent. It remains a key landmark in Toronto’s skyline and a major piece of Canadian sports history, especially for Blue Jays fans. The name 'SkyDome' is still widely used informally, even after its 2005 renaming to Rogers Centre.

Key details

The stadium opened in 1989 and was renamed Rogers Centre on February 2, 2005. It has hosted major events including WrestleMania and large concerts. Though the official name changed, the original SkyDome name remains a familiar part of Toronto’s sports culture.

In short

  • Opened in 1989 as SkyDome, renamed Rogers Centre in 2005.
  • First stadium with a fully retractable motorized roof.
  • Home of the Toronto Blue Jays and former home of the Toronto Argonauts.
  • Attached 348-room hotel overlooks the playing field.
Canadian angle

SkyDome is a major Canadian sports venue and a well-known Toronto landmark; it is especially significant in Canadian baseball history as the home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Quick questions

What is SkyDome called now?
SkyDome is now called Rogers Centre.
When did SkyDome open?
It opened in 1989.
Why was SkyDome notable?
It was the first stadium with a fully retractable motorized roof.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Centre
    Supports: Original name SkyDome; location; opening year; Blue Jays tenancy; retractable roof; attached hotel; informal continued use of SkyDome name
  2. PBS — https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/sky.html
    Supports: Toronto location; completion in 1989; first and only stadium with a fully retractable roof; roof design details; Blue Jays and Argonauts tenancy
  3. Major League Baseball / Toronto Blue Jays — https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/ballpark/information/history
    Supports: Formerly known as SkyDome; renamed Rogers Centre on February 2, 2005
  4. Ballparks of Baseball — https://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/ballparks/rogers-centre/
    Supports: Common informal use of SkyDome; first fully retractable roof; Blue Jays home ballpark
  5. Ballparks of Baseball — https://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/ballparks/rogers-centre/
    Supports: Rogers Centre home to Canada's only Major League Baseball franchise and opening significance
  6. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/1621/inside-the-venue-torontos-rogers-centre
    Supports: Formerly known as Skydome; first major sports arena in North America with a functional fully retractable roof; current tenancy